OUR EXPERIENCES WITH IONOMETRIC BONE BOND CEMENT IN RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC SURGERY OF THE HEAD AND NECK

Ionomeric bone bond cement (Ionocem) is a new alloplastic bone replacement material, which was used by us for functional and aesthetic purposes in surgery of the head and neck. We have used the cement 44 times (in 43 patients) for repair of skull and mid-face trauma, reconstruction of defects after tumor removal and for aesthetic augmentation. Ionocem was distinguished by its ready shaping on existing bony structures, its adaptation of bone fragments and bone implants without gaps and its help in avoiding ancillary procedures requiring autogenous grafts. Complications occurred in 22 patients, with most involving swelling, seromas. granulation, fistulas and sequestration which occurred after unsuitable indications or application.